Sep 18, 2017

Independent Research in Theosophy

Students of Esoteric Philosophy

Must Seek for Truth in Active Ways

Carlos Cardoso
Aveline

The associates of
the Independent Lodge of Theosophists develop studies in various areas of
theosophical interest and share the results of the search with readers through
their associated websites. [1]

A number of Facebook pages are kept in relation with
the research. Two monthly publications circulate: “The Aquarian Theosophist” and (in Portuguese) “O Teosofista”.

Other aspects of the work include physical plane
meetings, the Yahoo e-groups “E-Theosophy”
and “SerAtento” and a study-group on
the search for lay discipleship. The library that constitutes the foundation
and anchor of the independent lodge researches is spread across two countries
and interconnected in various ways, including physical plane mail.

Working on a voluntary basis, the co-editors invest
their time and money to obtain significant and rare books in various languages,
online and in paper. Although resources are limited, the acquisition of books
for the library is intense on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Study is combined with research. The editorial work,
the online publications and wider circulation of materials constitute a multidimensional
process whose highest point is the inner individual search. The production of
texts resulting from the investigation also develops in more than one language.

These interconnected tasks activate higher levels of
consciousness. The illusion that time is “scarce” constitutes an obstacle in
the learning. There is no such scarcity from the point of view of the higher
self. Before the vast network of information gathered, one must proceed with
calm and evaluate each idea, listening to the silence of his own soul.

The associates of the independent lodge think Helena P.
Blavatsky established long-term guidelines for the theosophical effort. She
taught that theosophists are no owners of the truth; they must obtain the means
to actively seek for it. Referring to the original Society which she founded in
1875, HPB wrote:

“As a body, the Theosophical Society holds that all
original thinkers and investigators of the hidden side of nature whether materialists
those who find matter ‘the promise and potency of all terrestrial life’, or
spiritualists - that is, those who discover in spirit the source of all energy
and of matter as well, were and are, properly, Theosophists. For to be one, one
need not necessarily recognize the existence of any special God or a deity. One
need but worship the spirit of living nature, and try to identify oneself with
it. To revere that Presence, the
invisible Cause, which is yet ever manifesting itself in its incessant results;
the intangible, omnipotent, and omnipresent Proteus: indivisible in its
Essence, and eluding form, yet appearing under all and every form; who is here
and there, and everywhere and nowhere; is ALL, and NOTHING; ubiquitous yet one;
the Essence filling, binding, bounding, containing everything; contained in
all. It will, we think, be seen now, that whether classed as Theists,
Pantheists or Atheists, such men are near kinsmen to the rest.”

According to Blavatsky, “be what he may, once that a
student abandons the old and trodden highway of routine, and enters upon the
solitary path of independent thought - Godward - he is a Theosophist; an
original thinker, a seeker after the eternal truth with ‘an inspiration of his
own’ to solve the universal problems.” And she adds:

“With every man that is earnestly searching in his own
way after a knowledge of the Divine Principle, of man’s relations to it, and
nature’s manifestations of it, Theosophy is allied.” [2]

These words say much about the correct attitude of the
student, regarding the theosophical teachings. He is not invited to believe. He must search, research and
gradually know by his own merit.

[2] From the article “What Are the Theosophists?”, which is
published in the “Collected Writings”, H. P. Blavatsky, TPH, USA, volume II,
pp. 102-103.

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An initial version of the above
article was published at the September 2016 edition of “The Aquarian Theosophist”, pp. 1-2. It had no indication as to the
name of the author. Original title: “Independent Studies: A Research Project
Unfolds”.

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Among others, see in our associated
websites the articles “The Independent Lodge of Theosophists”, “The
Three Levels of Association”, “Independent Lodge and the Movement”,
“Theosophists Must Be Independent”, “How to Build a Theosophical
Lodge”, “New York, September 7th, 1875”, “The Creation of the ILT in 2016”, and “Profile of the
Independent Lodge”.

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On 14 September 2016, after examining the
state of the esoteric movement worldwide, a group of students decided to found the
Independent Lodge of Theosophists.
Two of the priorities adopted by the ILT
are learning from the past and building a better future.